Holiday

The most beautiful winter sports area to book now

By Wieke Veenboer | #!31Sat, 23 Aug 2025 04:00:51 +0200+02:005131#31Sat, 23 Aug 2025 04:00:51 +0200+02:00-4Europe\/Amsterdam3131Europe\/Amsterdam202531 23am31am-31Sat, 23 Aug 2025 04:00:51 +0200+02:004Europe\/Amsterdam3131Europe\/Amsterdam2025312025Sat, 23 Aug 2025 04:00:51 +0200004008amSaturday=9#!31Sat, 23 Aug 2025 04:00:51 +0200+02:00Europe\/Amsterdam8#08-23-2025#!31Sat, 23 Aug 2025 04:00:51 +0200+02:005131#\/31Sat, 23 Aug 2025 04:00:51 +0200+02:00-4Europe\/Amsterdam3131Europe\/Amsterdam202531#!31Sat, 23 Aug 2025 04:00:51 +0200+02:00Europe\/Amsterdam8#

Yeah, I know: last weekend the Netherlands hit 30 degrees, but we need to think ahead. I mean: the ginger nuts are already on the shelf, and before you know it, we’ll be sitting with candles and tea by the fireplace. Figuratively speaking, because I live in an apartment in Amsterdam, so the only fireplace I have is the Netflix version that you can restart every hour and a half.

But anyway, winter is coming. And even though I love summer, I don’t mind making winter plans already. Winter sports plans, I should say, because that is of course the best outing of the winter months. I hear many people around me already busy with this: some have already booked, others are still orienting themselves a bit.

Last year, I went just after the winter sports season to the Dolomites, South Tyrol (Alta Badia, to be precise) and it was so beautiful there. We stayed in the most beautiful hotel (Badia Hill, including an infinity pool with a view over the mountains), within crawling distance of the slopes and nice restaurants.

I didn’t ski myself then, but I did take beautiful walks, had lunch on the slopes, and enjoyed the spa at our hotel. I already knew then: how wonderful it would be to go winter sports here. On my — if I may say so myself — envy-inducing Stories, a number of friends reacted with recognition: they had been coming here for winter sports for years and found it by far the best place to return to every year.

And I understand why: South Tyrol has beautiful slopes suitable for the beginner skier, but there are also many challenging slopes, it’s not as incredibly busy as in Gerlos or Val Thorens, but you can definitely enjoy some drinks. And last but certainly not least: you can really eat amazingly well here. The last time I was in Val Thorens, I paid 25 euros for a tasteless onion soup that was even better out of a pack, so I didn’t have a high opinion of the slope restaurants… So I had to come back to this when I was in South Tyrol. At Jimmi Hut, on the slope, they even had a collaboration with a Michelin chef. Look, that’s what I love.

So if you’re still looking for a beautiful winter sports destination: this is a huge recommendation. And if you’re not going to sleep at Badia Hill, definitely have dinner one evening in their wine bar or fine dining restaurant Porcino. Ultimate enjoyment.